We recently connected with Sara Racey-Batraville and have shared our conversation below.
Sara , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My confidence didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I was someone who lacked a lot of confidence, self-esteem and was truly an introvert when I was younger. As I entered the modeling industry after America’s Next Top Model, you would think my self-esteem would flourish, but it did not. For many years I was the self-doubting, no confidence young woman who would always find my flaws rather than my gifts. The “industry” doesn’t help much when it comes to that aspect in life; we are in an industry based off of our looks, size, and personality. And yet we were some of the most self-esteem lacking people around. However, as I grew older and more secure in myself, my body, my voice, and my career, my confidence rose tremendously. You start to understand that life is short. And we are only here for a certain amount of time–why waste it on beating yourself down? On being afraid of what people will think of you; judge you; and criticize you? I stopped caring, and once that switch in my head flipped, so did my life; for the better! Having my son, as well, changed my outlook on a lot of things as well, because I was no longer here for just “me” and my wants, but rather what was best for him and his well-being and he needed a mother who was strong and confident. Today, as I now transitioned into photography, this is one thing I LOVE helping other women, children, and men do as part of their sessions. I get so many clients saying to me “I am so nervous; I don’t want to look stupid!; Don’t laugh at me, Sara; Can you help me get my confidence? I HATE TAKING PHOTOS!!!!! ” And being that I have been on BOTH sides of the lens, feeling insecure, and embarrassed, I just love making them feel special and telling them “90% of what stops us from going after things come from the fear of what other people will think of us; let that go! Shake it off–Why would you care? This is YOUR precious God Given life!”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I reached a point in my career where I said “I am done having my photo taken, I now want to capture the world through my own lens and do what I want to do–and I can finally eat!” Rewind a bit. After graduating from the University of Washington with a Criminology degree and Sociology degree I pretty much knew that a 9-5 job was never for me. So, that college degree was a bust! Ha! Hello Top Model; Hello New York City! I always knew I wanted to start my own businesses. I love to create; I love to design; and I love the art of photography and fell in love with it even more when I would be on set. I would ask the photographers all types of questions; why they did x, y, and z. They probably hated me for it Lol–but I am one to ask a question if I want an answer–regardless of who you are. Once my modeling and commercial acting career really took off, I as able to start my first business. From there, it grew and I teamed up with my now husband Pierre, and we moved to Arizona to expand that business. I was always doing photography and creating whenever I could–and now I had the opportunity to create in a new environment that was no longer the Concrete Jungle but deserts and the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen. We launched our own gym and my clothing line and I had my photography studio right there in our space! Creating and making people feel amazing is truly part of my purpose. I love seeing those who are nervous, intimidated, have gone through so much, step onto set and just SHINE! One of my main things I preach is ‘ Life is short. Live with ZERO regrets on what you could have done or should have done or wanted to do.” I don’t want to ever say “I wish I would have….” My husband and I are ALWAYS thinking of our next venture. Things that we’re passionate about, and knowing God is always in charge. You can’t lose, right?
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things that were most impactful in my journey were: Being rejected; finding humility; and honing my craft as a model and commercial actress and photographer. Being rejected constantly in a beauty driven industry can only toughen you up. Some advice I would give to anyone, trying out anything that’s new to them, and that intimidates them, is practice, practice, practice. Always be honing your craft–even if it does’t pay you a dime yet. And like I said before, so much of your confidence is letting go of the fear of what other people think of you! And that is hard, I know! But it truly helps you grow as a person, and in your field of work. Confidence BUT humility (knowing you don’t know everything yet) is a huge thing to balance. Be confident you will master it one day but have the humility to know you are still learning and will make mistakes. I’ve had businesses not succeed to what I had anticipated; but I would never say I failed. How can you fail at something that taught you so much? Because the next time you do it, you take all those lessons and apply them and that’s exactly what I’ve done.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Oh boy, I’m half Persian, I wear my emotions on my sleeve! But I usually have to work out and I pray. That’s about it. I don’t “scream” per say, lol, but I have had some “WHAT IS GOING ON!!!??” moments. Trust me, expelling stress and energy in an intense workout truly helps and I will always advocate being still, quiet, and praying and know that in the grand scheme of things—your situation isn’t that serious. Or, I’ll turn on the television show, Friends, lay in the bed and zone out! That always works too!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sararaceyphotography.com
- Instagram: sararaceytabrizi
Image Credits
Photographed by Sara Racey
